Flash storage vendor Violin falls on IPO

Shares in the maker of fast solid-state arrays closed down more than 17 percent on opening day

There's still room for some smaller all-flash array makers, a group that includes Nimbus Data Systems, Pure Storage, Kaminario and other players in addition to Violin, Taneja said.

"As long as those companies can demonstrate a differentiation, they have a shot in the marketplace," Taneja said. Violin excels in performance while falling short on some software capabilities, which the company has filled in through a partnership with Symantec and is probably creating for itself now, he said.